Fat-removal procedures are among the most common cosmetic treatments carried out in the United States. The industry is lucrative, prompting investment in new technologies and procedures to bring to the market. One such innovative procedure is cryolipolysis, which gained FDA approval in 2010 and is better known under the brand name, CoolSculpting. Created by Zeltiq Aesthetics, the CoolSculpting procedure involves the cooling of fat in certain areas of the body, bringing it to a temperature that eventually destroys the fat. It was marketed as a revolutionary, safe, and noninvasive cosmetic procedure, one that you could perhaps undergo during your lunch break. However, a large number of people have complained about CoolSculpting side effects, with some notable cases claiming permanent disfigurement. The wide disparity between those suffering from CoolSculpting injuries and the safety of the procedure, as purported by Zeltiq and its parent company Allergan, prompted a wave of CoolSculpting lawsuits to be filed.
There have been two major drivers of CoolSculpting lawsuit news over the last few years. The first is that one of the CoolSculpting lawsuits was brought forward against Allergan by a celebrity, the supermodel Linda Evangelista. In September 2021, the supermodel explained why she had largely withdrawn from public life in the late 2010s, citing severe side effects from CoolSculpting. As with the majority of others bringing legal action for CoolSculpting, Evangelista was diagnosed with PAH (paradoxical adipose hyperplasia). She sued for $50 million, then announced on her Instagram account in the summer of 2022 that she had settled with Allergan for an undisclosed amount.
Having a famous supermodel CoolSculpting lawsuit is, of course, going to draw attention to the cause, but it’s worth remembering that many ‘ordinary’ Americans are also suffering. This was highlighted in a New York Times investigation, which had its findings published in April 2023. At the heart of the inquiry and lawsuits is the question of how rare PAH is, and whether Zeltiq Aesthetics purposefully misled its customers and clients in the presentation of its CoolSculpting safety statistics. Put simply, The Times—and others reporting on the CoolSculpting lawsuits—claim that Zeltiq has downplayed the rarity of getting PAH, which can lead to permanent disfigurement. Regardless of whether it’s a CoolSculpting actress lawsuit that has led to a loss of earnings, or a legal case for someone else’s side effect, people deserve answers and justice. Thus, CoolSculpting PAH lawyers are urging anyone affected to come forward to begin their claim for compensation.
So, what exactly is wrong with CoolSculpting? As mentioned, the process is an innovative one. Scientists landed on the idea of cryolipolysis when studying the impact of frostbite. They noticed that fat froze at a higher temperature than skin, and thus a non-surgical procedure could be used to cool and break up the fat (leaving the skin unharmed) without requiring surgery. Later, the body will naturally dispense of the broken-up fat. The problem with CoolSculpting is that PAH can occur, and this essentially has the opposite effect of the treatment, leading to excess lumps of fat hardening under the skin. That’s what happened to Linda Evangelista and others bringing forward lawsuits. PAH may require further procedures or surgery, such as liposuction or abdominoplasty, to remove the large fatty deposit.
PAH is not the only reported CoolSculpting side effect. Claimants in the lawsuits have reported pain with CoolSculpting, along with CoolSculpting bruising and CoolSculpting swelling after having undergone the procedure. Other short-term CoolSculpting side effects can include numbness, skin discoloration, and pins and needles. Zeltiq Aesthetics claims that CoolSculpting side effects, including PAH, are rare, but the lawsuits allege that they are not as rare as the company claims. PAH, Zeltiq/Allergan claims, occurs in about 1 in 3,000 treatments (0.03%). However, other studies have come up with a much higher rate of PAH cases. The crux of the CoolSculpting lawsuits is that customers deserve to know the true risks of CoolSculpting before undergoing the treatment.
The answer is somewhat complicated. There have been several attempts to consolidate CoolSculpting lawsuits into class action cases, some of which have been dismissed (while others are considered pending). However, the dismissal of a class action suit speaks to technicalities, not culpability. Individuals are free to pursue individual claims against Allergan, and they have been doing so. The case of Linda Evangelista is but one of many against the company. It is possible that future cases can be consolidated into an MDL (multidistrict litigation), which falls under the category of mass tort law. Unlike a class action lawsuit, each case – and compensation – would be judged on its own merits, with certain aspects of the litigation bundled together for practicality.
We know that PAH can lead to unwanted disfigurement, but is CoolSculpting dangerous? Thankfully, most of the side effects are largely seen as cosmetic, although this can obviously still cause stress and mental anguish. Most of the side effects – bruising, swelling, sensitivity of the skin – tend to go away within a few days. However, it has been noted that CoolSculpting can be dangerous for people with underlying conditions, such as cryoglobulinemia. Moreover, it should be noted that CoolSculpting is a relatively new treatment, so it is possible that its long-term side effects are not yet understood.
It’s not yet possible to gauge how much you could get from a CoolSculpting lawsuit settlement payout. Of course, it was notable that Linda Evangelista was suing for $50 million in damages, but we do not know how much she agreed for a settlement. However, Evangelista’s case is important as a bellwether, as her claim was based on the same principles – loss of earnings, mental anguish, medical expenses – that would underpin other claimants’ lawsuits. Furthermore, the level of payout for CoolSculpting lawsuits will depend on what is discovered about the actions of Zeltiq Aesthetics and its parent company Allergan, which is itself owned by AbbVie. Lawyers for CoolSculpting damages cases may discover cover-ups and negligence on behalf of the company, lending weight to any potential settlement claim.
Many people will be wondering if they are eligible to join a CoolSculpting lawsuit. It may be possible to join a class action lawsuit for, among other things, misrepresentation or defectiveness of the procedure. However, individuals who underwent CoolSculpting (cryolipolysis) treatments and got PAH, other bulges of fat, severe side effects, or related injuries may be entitled to significant compensation. If you or a loved one meet some or all of these CoolSculpting lawsuit eligibility criteria, then you should speak with a lawyer to start your claim for financial compensation.
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is the brand name for cryolipolysis, a cosmetic treatment that uses a freezing treatment to get rid of fat deposits in the body. The treatment is a popular alternative to cosmetic surgery like liposuction.
What is PAH?
Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) is an ‘adverse event’ that can occur in reaction to cryolipolysis treatment. Effectively, it means that the treatment has had the opposite effect to the one intended. Instead of the fat melting away after cryolipolysis/CoolSculpting, the number of fatty cells in the treated area increase. PAH is short for Paradoxical Fat Hyperplasia. PAH may require further corrective surgeries to remove.
Does CoolSculpting work?
For the majority of those undergoing the treatment, CoolSculpting seems to be effective. It does not burn all the fat in the areas treated, and it may take weeks for the body to get rid of the broken-up fat cells, but the procedure has been carried out millions of times and remains popular. However, the CoolSculping lawsuits are framed on the premise that adverse events, such as PAH, are not as rare as advertised. Thus, CoolSculpting does not work for everyone.
What’s the cost of CoolSculpting?
The cost of CoolSculpting depends on the type of treatment, including the amount of fat being displaced and the position it is in the body. Its cost can range from $2000 to $4000 per session. Many clients return for the treatment several times.
Is CoolSculpting safe?
CoolSculpting is not safe for everyone. Aside from the chance of PAH, it is not suitable for some people with underlying conditions. For any cosmetic procedure like this, you should get medical advice before undergoing the treatment.
Does CoolSculpting hurt?
CoolSculpting is promoted as safe, easy, and non-evasive. However, some people have reported painful side effects like swelling and bruising.
Is CoolSculpting permanent?
CoolSculpting is not cosmetic surgery. It is a means of ‘melting’ fat through a freezing technique. The body naturally removes the broken-up fat cells later. However, they may return via normal means.
Is CoolSculpting painful?
Some side effects of CoolSculpting are bruising and swelling of the treated areas, so CoolSculpting can be painful. For some people, there is no pain after the treatment.
Is CoolSculpting dangerous?
It depends on your definition of dangerous. There have been no recorded fatalities with CoolSculpting, but there are risks, such as PAH, associated with it.
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